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Inverness Hogmanay Party Line Up

The Highland Council have released details of an exciting line up featuring three of Scotland’s favourite festival bands for the 2009 Hogmanay Party which will take place in Northern Meeting Park Arena in Inverness on December 31st.

The free show will open with the award winning group, Blazin' Fiddles, who will showcase the distinct flavour of fiddle music from various regions of the Highlands and Islands in a fiery blend that is guaranteed to get the party off to a rousing start.

Blazing Fiddles will be followed by the Skye based Peatbog Faeries who are one of Scotland’s best known names in contemporary folk music. Their music embodies many styles and influences, including rock, jazz, electronica, and folk - but their main influence is traditional Celtic music. The band's unique sound is created through a mix of programmed effects and traditional Celtic arrangements, played on bagpipes, fiddles, and whistles.

Taking the party up to the Bells will be The Red Hot Chilli Pipers who starred at the 2008 Inverness St Andrew’s Days celebrations. Winners of BBC one primetime show ‘When Will I be Famous’ and voted ‘Live Act of the Year 2007’ at the Scots Traditional Music Awards, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have a huge following in the Highlands and are guaranteed to ensure that Inverness welcomes 2010 in style.

Inverness Hogmanay Party Line Up Confirmed

Model Railway update - top level track laid

Completed the baseboard for the top level, using slightly lighter construction of 9mm ply baseboard on a 9mm ply framework. Track laid, awaiting electrification and points control - next jobs!

Model Railway v2.0

Completed the baseboard and electrics for the lower level of my new model railway.

Baseboard is 9mm ply, on a framework made up of 80x9mm ply and 75x25mm softwood.

Electrics are DCC, using an ESU Command Station.

Points use Fulgurex slow-acting point motors, controlled from a home-made panel. This panel uses mini-toggle switches, and has bi-colour LEDs to indicate active lines.

Next stage is to start building the upper level.

Model Railway v1.0

So, time to dismantly v1.0 of my model railway, to make way for v2.0. Before I do that, here's a couple of photos of the layout.
For the benefit of Bob and Ben - overall size is 2.85m x 0.61m, split into two baseboards. The main baseboard is 1.84m long, and the "fiddle yard" board is 1.00m long. All wired up for DCC operation, all points motorised. All the buildings, DCC controller, etc. are going to be re-used on my new layout.

Boat Project

I've decided to abandon my boat project, to make way for v2.0 model railway. So, a final couple of photos. The model is approx. 1.165m long.

This is what it should look like when finished.

And there's some excellent photos of another customer's completed model at http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/CKit_Resolve_01.htm

Bird Table Visitors

With the snow now starting to clear, we saw a couple of rare visitors to our bird table today. A fieldfare and redwing.


And one that didn't make it through the last few days of cold weather.

Class 47 D1746

New loco added to my layout. A Class 47 diesel D1746, will full DCC control, lights, and sound.


Probably my last photo of this layout, as planning has now started for my new layout.

January 2009 Weather

January was a particularly dry month, with the total rainfall well below average for this time of year.

Total rainfall = 28.9mm (past average from Met Office = 55.4mm)
Minimum temperature = -2.5°C (windchill = -5.4°C)
Maximum temperature = 12.4°C
Maximum wind speed = 16 mph
Maximum wind gust = 32 mph

Dollshouse moved

We finally managed to move Ann's dollshouse into the dining room onto a new table. So, took a couple of photos, all lit up.

Weather Summary for 2008

I've now collated the data from my weather station for last year (2008). Overall a good year for the weather. We nearly reached 28ºC in the summer, but the winter has been fairly harsh.


The 72mph wind gust maximum in December was slightly above normal.

A particularly dry year, with only 2 months where rainfall exceeded expectations - August and October. Driest months were May (10mm), July (19mm), April (36mm), and November (36mm)

Minimum Temperature -4.9ºC on 31st December at 4:40am
Minimum Windchill -7.0ºC on 30th December at 3:40pm
Maximum Temperature 27.9ºC on 30th July at 5:10pm
Maximum Wind Gust 72mph on 20th December at 00:50am
Total Rainfall 554mm vs. the Met Office past average of 624mm. So, 89% of the past average.

Hoax distress call about sinking boat

Christmas dinner was interrupted for search and rescue volunteers in the Highlands yesterday after a “hoax” distress call from a sailing boat. Rescue teams in Dornoch and Portmahomack were scrambled at lunchtime after receiving a call which Aberdeen Coastguard last night believed to have been a hoax.

A rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth was called out with the Dornoch rescue boat and Portmahomack Coastguard rescue team at 12.20pm by a man claiming to be on a sinking boat called the Gypsy Rose. The vessel was said to be in trouble one mile north of Tarbat Ness, in the Dornoch Firth, but rescue teams found no trace. Three members of the Dornoch inshore lifeboat team investigated the call but found nothing.

Full story at http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1004238?UserKey=

War in Portmahomack!!

The shooting of a British propaganda film in Portmahomack, Easter Ross, in 1942.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7761279.stm

Happy Christmas!!!

It's Christmas time in Scotland, and my kid said to me.....
Just one question Daddy , before I go to sleep....
How will Santa find me , so I said.. wherever he may roam,
Santa will find you because he's coming home

Santa's A Scotsman
He's Loved Everywhere he goes
He moved from Glasgow to Lapland...following Rudolf's nose

Santa's A Scotsman... Come on make a fuss
Too many pies not enough exercise....of course he's one of us.

He only works one day a year and then he takes a break,
He'll have a nip of whisky and a bit of Christmas cake
He likes a pudding supper and when he arrives tonight
He'll come in through the window 'cos the chimney is too tight.

St Andrews Night(ish)

Okay, a couple of days early, but we had a great time at last night's St. Andrews Night celebrations in the Carnegie Hall. A full turn-out, a very friendly crowd.

The main act for the night were "Tattie Jam" - Seylan Baxter on a lovely 5-string electric cello, and Ruaridh Pringle on guitar/banjo. A good variety of songs, with great vocals.

After Tattie Jam's first set, we had a Stovie Supper. We both enjoyed "seconds", followed by a lovely trifle.

Peformances from a local group of banjo, accordian, etc. added to the night's performances. Finished around midnight and we wandered home in the freezing fog!!

Avatars on XBox Live

So, we've got the new XNE on Ann's XBox 360. Here's what our new avatars look like. It's been suggested on one of my forums that we look like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sarah Palin!!!!

Swan & Goose numbers

Interesting to see the article on the BBC Breakfast programme this morning about the decline in the number of swans and geese in England this year. Well, maybe that's because they've all decided to stay further north this year.

Over the last few weeks we have been seeing hundreds and hundreds of whooper swans and geese flying over the Tarbat peninsular. Far more than we've ever seen in recent years. Yesterday morning there were around 15 v-formations of geese flying overhead, with around 30-40 geese in each formation. Quite spectacular - and noisy!!

Not again :(

Well, it's the first time my Elite has failed, although Ann's standard XB360 has failed twice with the RROD.

Airnav Radarbox over Scotland

This image, taken from my Radarbox, just goes to show how busy the sky is with aircraft over Scotland these days.

Autumn in Glen Cannich

A lovely Autumn day, so we took a drive out to one of our favourite spots - Glen Cannich. Had our lunch parked at the Mullardoch dam, which generates electricity as its water descends through a tunnel to Loch Beinn a' Mheadhain in Glen Affric.

Whooper Swans Return

Today we got our first clear sighting of the Whooper Swans returning to Tarbat Ness. What a wonderful sight as eight swans landed in the field behind us. They rested for a few minutes, and then took off again.

We'd spotted a flock of around 30 swans earlier today, so it was great to see them land back on Tarbat Ness.

August 2008 Climate Statistics

August was a strange month. On paper, rainfall was very high at 208% of the past average. However, much of this was caused by one day, 21st August, where nearly 50mm fell in one day.

Total rainfall = 119.6mm (past average from Met Office = 57.4mm)
Minimum temperature = 9.4°C
Maximum temperature = 28.7°C
Maximum wind speed = 13 mph
Maximum wind gust = 22 mph

Google StreetView

Looks like we've just been Google Streetview'ed

July 2008 Climate Statistics

A hot, dry month. Rainfall was only 35% of the past average, and towards the end of the month we had our hottest day so far this year.

Total rainfall = 18.6mm (past average from Met Office = 52.5mm)
Minimum temperature = 10.5°C
Maximum temperature = 27.9°C
Maximum wind speed = 11 mph
Maximum wind gust = 19 mph

Portmahomack - Monastery of the Picts

Just finished reading this great book by Professor Martin Carver, all about the 10 years of archaeological study at Portmahomack. A quote from the preface seems appropriate.

"Readers whose interests have been aroused are urged to visit Portmahomack itself at the earliest opportunity. There they will find not only a village of considerable charm in a Firthland setting, but also, within St Colman's church, the captivating museum of the Tarbat Discovery Centre."

The book covers the history of Portmahomack from the 3rd century all the way up to the 20th century.

Cruise Ship Columbus

Another cruise ship (Columbus) spotted leaving the Moray Firth:

Torrachilty Wood

Good walking weather today, so we took a drive out to Torrachilty Wood for a lovely walk through the forest, on to Rogie Falls and the fish ladder. Just under 5 miles, but lots of elevation changes!!

June 2008 Climate Statistics

Another month of using my weather station, so I've pulled together some statistics for June 2008.

Total rainfall = 53.7mm (past average from Met Office = 52.9mm)
Minimum temperature = 6.5°c
Maximum temperature = 27.4°c
Maximum wind speed = 15.6mph
Maximum wind gust = 29.5mph

Model ship update

Thought it was about time I posted some up-to-date photos of progress on my model ship, since my previous posting when all I'd done was paint the hull.

Grand Princess Cruise Liner

Managed to get this photo of the Grand Princess cruise liner as she left Invergordon this evening. Photo was taken from our front garden looking SE over the Moray Firth.

Holiday on Skye

Enjoyed our 4 days on Skye. Weather was rain, rain, and more rain, but we managed to find dry spells in between.

Visited Armadale and the Museum of the Isles on Monday on the way to Heribusta where we were staying for the week.

On Tuesday, we toured the Trotternish peninsular, and then went on to Portree and took a boat trip out on MV Stardust to see the White Tail Sea Eagles.

Wednesday, we explored the Waternish & Duirinish peninsulars, including Dunvegan Castle & Gardens.

On Thursday we took the grand tour of Harris & North Uist. Ferry from Uig to Tarbert on Harris. Coach tour across Harris to Leverburgh. Ferry across the Sound of Harris to Berneray. Then another coach across the causeway to North Uist, and on to Lochmaddy. Finally, the ferry back to Uig.

Slideshow of photos at this link ===> PHOTOS

Portmahomack wins The Rural Seaside Award

The Rural Seaside Award was presented to Big Sand, near Gairloch; Gairloch Beach, Gruinard, Mellon Udrigle, Portmahomack, Redpoint North, Shandwick Bay, and Firemore near Poolewe.

Ross beaches win awards - Ross-shire Journal

May 2008 Climate Statistics

Second month of using my weather station, so I've pulled together some statistics for May 2008. Highlight of the month has been the VERY low rainfall.

Total rainfall = 10.4mm (past average from the Met Office is 45.4mm)
Minimum temperature = 5.8°c
Maximum temperature = 24.7°c
Maximum wind speed = 12.0mph
Maximum wind gust = 19.3mph

Phil Cunningham & Aly Bain at the Carnegie Hall, Portmahomack in September

Can't wait for this - we've booked our tickets!!!

Accordionist Phil Cunningham will be performing with fiddler Aly Bain at Carnegie Hall, Portmahomack, on September 8 and Strathy Village Hall on September 9.

He said: “The festival is great because it gets to far-flung places and the people there really appreciate the effort that the performers and the festival has put in to getting performers there. That’s what Blas is all about. Highland culture is everywhere, not just restricted to places of high population.”

High-flying musicians will make mark at Highland showcase - Press & Journal

Kingfisher

Ann has completed her latest cross-stitch. Now I've got to frame it!!

Peugeot 207cc arrives!!

Took delivery of our new car yesterday: